What's the fuss about, Satya Nadella's father says

"I don't know why I should speak about his (Satya's) childhood. How is that even important," the plainly-dressed Yugandhar said.

| TNN | Feb 8, 2014, 02.18 AM IST

What's the fuss about, Satya Nadella's father says

01:18

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HYDERABAD: The world could be going gung-ho over the extraordinary story of a mediocre student's journey-from a public school in Hyderabad to the Microsoft headquarters in Redmond- but Satya Nadella's father Bukkapuram Nadella Yugandhar does not seem to understand just what this hoopla is about. So, while he is aware of the frenzy surrounding his 46-year-old son, the former bureaucrat chooses to remain oblivious to it all. He also fails to fathom how anecdotes about the new-crowned CEO's childhood could be of any interest to the rest of the nation.

"I don't know why I should speak about his (Satya's) childhood. How is that even important," the plainly-dressed Yugandhar told this TOI correspondent, waiting to get a dekho of the proud daddy, as he returned home after his daily hour-long evening walk at the KBR National Park nearby.

"Yes I wish him well, but that's all I have to say," the father retorted on being repeatedly asked for a reaction. "All this is unnecessary hype. I don't understand why it is required," he added. And before the next question could be posed at him, Yugandhar had turned away to head for the front door of his conventional south-Indian home, reeking of modesty - a term that's become synonymous with the family over the past one week. "Please spare us now," he finally said, as he walked in.

Though that might sound tad strange to some ears, who'd expect the father to be jubilant at this stage instead, Maqsood bhai insisted that quiet celebrations have been on within the four walls of the house.

"Sab bahut khush hai (everybody is very happy)," said Maqsood, a family driver for four years now. He had other things to share too, mostly about his bhaiya (Satya) who he claimed visited the city twice every year: once in October for work and once in December for a 15-day vacation.

"He is a gem of a man. Can speak fluent Hindi and Telugu," Maqsood said, making no attempt to hide his pride while announcing how he played chauffeur to the Microsoft biggie, each time he came home. "Woh aache insaan hai. Jaane ke waqt hamesa khush hoke kuch deke jaate hai hume, (He is a nice man. Before returning to the US, he always gives us something as a sign of gratitude)," he stressed.

A glimpse of similar affection for the only son of the house was visibly on the face of mother Prabhavati Yugandhar too, when she made a fleeting appearance at the request of this correspondent. But much like her husband, the graceful lady neatly draped in a pink silk saree, refrained from commenting on the 'Satya saga'. "It is best that you speak to my husband. He is my son, yes, but I would not wish to say anything else," she said, courteously smiling all the while. Some joys, perhaps, are best felt in private.

How Nadella outran others

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How Nadella outran others

India-born Microsoft executive Satya Nadella appears most likely to succeed chief executive officer Steve Ballmer after emerging as a popular choice with his deeper engineering background compared to other internal candidates, US media reported. (TOI photo)

How Nadella outran others

Nadella heads the team that runs the public, private and service provider clouds for Microsoft. Previously, Nadella was president of Microsoft's $19 billion server and tools business. (Reuters photo)

How Nadella outran others

Nadella is a native of Hyderabad and earned degrees from Mangalore University, the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and the University of Chicago. (Reuters photo)

How Nadella outran others

After a bruising, five-month selection process, the list of contenders for Microsoft CEO post was cut to six serious candidates. (Reuters photo)

How Nadella outran others

Sources said Nadella was prepared to take the CEO job but wanted Microsoft founder and chairman Bill Gates to play a bigger role with new management. (Reuters photo)

How Nadella outran others

Nadella is in discussions with the board, and is likely to ask that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates drop his chairman role and help Nadella more closely on technology. (Reuters photo)

How Nadella outran others

Outgoing Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer announced last year he was stepping down as the company struggles to keep up in the mobile devices sector. (TOI photo)

How Nadella outran others

Ballmer was a classmate and friend of Bill Gates from their days at Harvard University in the 1970s. He took over from Gates in 2000 but earlier this year said he will step down by August 2014. (TOI photo)

How Nadella outran others

The list of contenders for Microsoft’s CEO position also included Ericsson chief executive officer Hans Vestberg as a potential successor to departing leader Steve Ballmer, according to people briefed on the search. (Reuters photo)

How Nadella outran others

Former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop, a Microsoft veteran before moving to Nokia, whose mobile phone business Microsoft bought last year, has also been cited as a top candidate. (AP photo)

How Nadella outran others

The leading outside candidate, Ford Motor Co CEO Alan Mulally, took himself off the list of potential CEOs at the world's largest software maker, telling the Associated Press he would remain at Ford through 2014. (AP photo)

How Nadella outran others

Steve Mollenkopf from Qualcomm was also on the list of contenders but dropped out after he was offered a promotion to CEO at Qualcomm. (AP photo)

How Nadella outran others

The list also included - Tony Bates - the former Skype boss now in charge of Microsoft's business development. (Reuters photo)

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